How do you serve and eat caviar? It’s easy to enjoy this world-renowned sturgeon roe. Caviar makes an elegant addition to parties, whether at the holidays, Valentine’s Day dinner for two, or any time of year. When the caviar comes out, it’s a certain sign of a special occasion. Here are some simple ideas for serving this classic and allowing the natural flavor of the caviar to shine.
Our French Ossetra Malossol Caviar is high-quality, lightly salted, and full of fresh, briny flavor. It doesn’t need much in the way of accompaniments. Enjoy it simply – atop a round of brioche toast, unsalted cracker, or blini, which are bite-sized pancakes made of wheat or buckwheat flour, originating in Russia. Or eat it alone, right off the spoon.
Tips for Handling Caviar
It is recommended to open the sealed tin 15 to 20 minutes before eating; be sure to keep it cold while the caviar is exposed to the air. The recommended temperature for storing caviar is about 30 F - colder than a home refrigerator. Store tins of caviar in the coldest part of your fridge but never in the freezer, as that can affect the texture.
Protect the delicate pearls from breaking by serving caviar right in the tin, nestled in a shallow bowl of ice chips. Once opened, it is best to eat caviar quickly, as it does not have a long shelf life, especially natural caviar without preservatives. Use non-reactive spoons for serving - traditional mother-of-pearl wooden, bone, or horn spoons - not metal as they can affect the taste. Paired with Champagne, sake, vodka, or dry white wine, it’s hard to imagine that there will be any caviar left over.
Traditional Caviar Service
Caviar is an important part of Russian cuisine; in the old days, it was enjoyed every day, and traditionally on New Year’s Eve. At its most simple, you can spread caviar on a slice of generously buttered bread like rye or baguette. But for a classic caviar service, serve with yeasted blini, and small bowls containing chopped chives, hard-boiled eggs (some will serve yolk and white separately), capers, crème fraîche, and diced onions so guests can choose the accompaniments they like.
Caviar on Potatoes
Potatoes make a perfect neutral vehicle for delivering caviar. Enjoy caviar on top of baked baby red potatoes with a dollop of crème fraîche. Substitute golden smashed potatoes, mini potato pancakes fried in duck fat, or pommes gaufrettes - waffle-cut potato chips (we cook ours with duck fat).
Caviar with Seafood
Double up on seafood by serving caviar on seared scallops or mini crabcakes. Caviar will also pair with smoked salmon canapes or even salmon tartare. For a very swanky way to eat caviar, serve it on raw oysters in the shell.
Caviar on Eggs
Go high-protein and serve caviar on hard-boiled or deviled eggs instead of crackers. We like tiny quail eggs for this purpose and have an easy recipe for parties. Or try an elegant recipe with caviar atop creamy scrambled eggs served in the shell.
Pasta and Caviar
Our simple recipe for creamy egg pasta with caviar makes an impressive dinner party first course - or a midnight snack for two if celebrating New Year’s Eve privately at home. Scale the recipe up as needed.
Did You Know?
Caviar may be delicious, but it also packs plenty of nutritional value. Caviar contains calcium, phosphorus, selenium, iron, magnesium, and Vitamins B12, B6, B2, B4, C, A, and D. It’s got amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids to recommend it as well. So eat your caviar!
FAQs
Although caviar is best served by itself, common accompaniments and accouterments include creme fraiche, lemon wedges, hard-cooked eggs (yolks and whites chopped separately), mini potatoes, minced onions, blinis, and toast points lightly coated with unsalted butter.
What is the proper way to serve caviar? ›
Traditional Caviar Service
But for a classic caviar service, serve with yeasted blini, and small bowls containing chopped chives, hard-boiled eggs (some will serve yolk and white separately), capers, crème fraîche, and diced onions so guests can choose the accompaniments they like.
What is the most popular way to eat caviar? ›
A plain cracker is often used so it doesn't overpower the flavor of the caviar. Really, any low-salt, carb will go well with fine caviar. A warm, fresh piece of bread, baguette toast-point, unsalted or lightly-salted potato or pita chips can serve as your caviar carb-base.
How is caviar traditionally eaten? ›
Caviar is traditionally eaten alone, cold, and preferably in a non-metallic container. The presentation is usually made in a glass bowl or bowl, with ice at its base to keep the product cold. Caviar producers and marketers recommend not using silver or other metal bowls to serve it.
How do the French serve caviar? ›
Caviar is often served as a topping for crackers or toast points, or as a filling for small pastries such as blinis or gougeres. It is also common to see caviar served alongside other classic French hors d'oeuvres such as foie gras and smoked salmon.
Is 1 oz of caviar enough for 2 people? ›
If you are serving caviar by itself it is safe to figure that you will need 1 to 2 ounces (30 – 50 grams) of caviar per person. If you are sharing caviar as a garnish or accompaniment on top of hors-d'oeuvres, it is safe to figure ½ – 1 ounce per person/serving.
What is the etiquette for caviar? ›
Serving Caviar
Firstly, caviar should be served chilled but not frozen. The ideal temperature ranges between 28 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 to 0 degrees Celsius). It's customary to present caviar in a bowl nestled within a larger bowl filled with ice to maintain its freshness.
What is the number 1 caviar in the world? ›
Known as the most sought-after and expensive type available, Beluga caviar originates in the Caspian Sea and is also known as the Huso Huso sturgeon.
What pairs well with caviar? ›
Caviar is often best served by itself, using a mother of pearl spoon or from a caviar bump. Some of the best caviar accompaniments include buttered toast points, crème fraiche, blinis, chips or crackers and cheese.
What is the best caviar for first time people? ›
You can find affordable American white sturgeon and hackleback caviar throughout the country. Either option makes an excellent caviar for beginners thanks to their wide availability and affordable price that helps sustain farms over the long term.
Although caviar is best served by itself, common accompaniments and accouterments include creme fraiche, lemon wedges, hard-cooked eggs (yolks and whites chopped separately), mini potatoes, minced onions, blinis, and toast points lightly coated with unsalted butter.
What is the point of eating caviar? ›
Caviar contains several vitamins such as A and E that keep your skin healthy and aid your immune system in fighting off pathogens. One tablespoon also boasts 3.2 micrograms of vitamin B12.
What cheese to serve with caviar? ›
Soft, creamy cheeses like fresh goat cheese, brie, or camembert serve as the perfect canvas to enhance the caviar's natural flavor. Aged cheddar, gouda, or manchego cheeses also make for great options, as their rich, nutty flavors complement the taste of caviar beautifully.
How is caviar best served? ›
Caviar should also be served cold, so it is best to keep it refrigerated and decant it into a cold container, preferably filled over ice. You will feel its refreshing flavors, which almost clean the palate, and will make you enjoy your precious delicacy in the best way.
How do you eat caviar like a pro? ›
Specifically, you can eat caviar off of your hand. To do so, spoon some caviar onto the back of your hand, between your thumb and index finger. Caviar aficionados believe this is the best way to try the first bite of caviar in order to appreciate its simplicity and subtle nuances.
Do you eat caviar warm or cold? ›
Unlike other food products, caviar should be served chilled and not at room temperature. After you make your decision, prepare the tableware and pairings. Remember that if you're going to enjoy caviar as is, without accompaniments, you need a bowl of crushed ice or an ice pack.
What is the classic service of caviar? ›
Caviar pairs with endless foods nowadays- paired with oysters, topped on potato chips, or even garnished on desserts. However, its classical form comes with toasted bread, chopped eggs, and creme fraiche.
Do you put caviar in the fridge or freezer? ›
It should be stored just around freezing point but not fully frozen. Anywhere between 28 and 32 degrees is ideal, so determine the coldest area of your refrigerator and designate it as your caviar storage spot. While some varieties may last longer than others, most will start to go bad after a month.
